Israel's military is employing a range of advanced technologies to tackle Hamas' extensive underground tunnel network in Gaza. With the objective of minimizing soldier casualties, Israel is utilizing surveillance drones, bunker-buster bombs, bulldozers, attack dogs, unmanned vehicles, and robots to detect and damage the tunnels. Additionally, a new weapon called a "sponge bomb" is being used to seal off tunnel entrances by rapidly expanding and solidifying foam. Surveillance drones and warplanes with bunker-buster bombs are being deployed from the air to locate and penetrate the hidden tunnels.

Meanwhile, on the ground, bulldozers are clearing suspected areas above the underground network. Attack dogs, unmanned vehicles, and robots are aiding in the exploration of the intricate underground terrain. Israel's defense ministry has even sought assistance from non-defense startups, such as Asterra, an Israeli firm that specializes in detecting underground water leaks using satellite imagery. The goal of these high-tech tactics is to avoid the risks associated with sending soldiers into the hazardous tunnel network, which could be booby-trapped and heavily defended.

Instead, Israel is prioritizing the blocking and damaging of the tunnels. However, experts warn that without ground forces on-site, it is challenging to accurately assess the extent of the damage inflicted by the bombings. Hamas has long utilized the extensive network of tunnels in Gaza to conceal weapons, command facilities, and fighters. Israel recognizes the danger posed by these tunnels and has specially trained combat engineers. Nevertheless, entering these underground passages remains highly perilous due to the abundance of booby-traps and the defenders' superior knowledge of the terrain.

To further complicate matters, there is a concern that the hostilities could drag on for months without a clear resolution. Thousands of casualties have already been reported in Gaza, primarily resulting from Israeli airstrikes in response to Hamas' attack on Israel. The potential long-term threat is that the tunnels could be repurposed for a post-war insurgency.

Experts emphasize the importance of completely destroying the entire tunnel system to ensure the success of Israel's mission. However, the difficulty of achieving this without ground forces may lead to a partially incomplete job. As the pressure to end the operation intensifies, there is concern that the tunnels will not be fully eradicated. In addition to the military tactics, it's worth noting that Hamas is considered a terrorist group by both the US and European Union.